Unlike in previous years, many of the attempts to enter the UK illegally from Northern Europe are no longer clandestine but intentionally open, with the aim of being ‘intercepted’ by the UK authorities and taken to a UK port where as many as 90 per cent will claim asylum.

Criminals exploit the gaps and weaknesses in our immigration and asylum regimes to pile people into flimsy craft in return for huge sums of money. Migrants leave safe and prosperous countries (France and Belgium) and risk their lives with assurances that they will be ‘rescued’ and given asylum in the UK. Intelligence suggests that some migrants have paid up to £12,000 for transport from Dunkirk in rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs).

At the same time there has been a wider collapse in removals of those with no right to be here, including of failed asylum seekers, as part of a growingparalysis in immigration enforcement in the wake of the Windrush affair,something that is likely to be spurring even more crossings.

According to official Home Office data, the number of enforced removals of failed asylum seekers fell to just 1,807 in 2018, compared with 2,722 the previous year. In 2004 the number was 11,743.

Give Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Teams more support and determined leadership. Those at the sharp end must have their confidence restored;

Substantially increase the number of removals of those with no right to be here, including failed asylum seekers;

Negotiate a new agreement with the French and Belgian governments toreturn immediately all those attempting to cross the Channel illegally to their setting-off points.

Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said:‘The government have had 18 months to deal with the problem of illegal Channel crossings in small boats. Thus far, a solution has not only proved elusive but the situation seems to be getting worse. The time for decisive action cannot be ducked any longer. With the public in a pandemic lockdown, it is surely not expecting too much for them to be confident that their borders are secure.’

The government have had 18 months to deal with the problem of illegal Channel crossings in small boats. Thus far, a solution has not only proved elusive but the situation seems to be getting worse. The time for decisive action cannot be ducked any longer. With the public in a pandemic lockdown, it is surely not expecting too much for them to be confident that their borders are secure.

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